I'm running in the 117th Annual Boston Marathon to support the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts!

As you may or may not know, Girl Scouts is an organization that is very near and dear to my heart. Since 2008 I have been the leader of a Troop in Peabody, MA.

I started this troop for my niece who really wanted to be a Brownie and after a few months of preparation I gained a troop of beautiful girls who I consider to be my "girls".

My life has changed a lot since I became a leader and through all of the changes those beautiful girls have been with me 100%.

I am so honored and lucky to have been given the opportunity to be part of their lives as well as given the opportunity to run the 117th Boston Marathon for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Team.

I want to show my daughter Emily as well as my "girls" that anything you put your mind to is possible!

The funds I raise for the Girl Scouts of Eastern MA Boston Marathon team will help to support the Girl Scouts Get Moving Health Initiative.

We know that changing the world for the better starts with taking care oneself. With childhood obesity rates at an all-time high, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts recognizes the importance of providing girls with the tools they need to maintain good physical and emotional health. The following statistics strengthen the importance of health and wellness education:

One in every 3 children ages 2-19 nationwide is overweight or obese.

Children 8 to 18 spend an average of 7.5 hours using entertainment media a day.

Since 2002, 50% of students do not have daily recess.

An increased rate of exercise correlates with higher MCAS scores.

Health and fitness have been part of Girl Scouting since girls ran foot races in 1912. Whether they are hiking, trying a new sport, or preparing tasty, nutritious snacks, Girl Scouts enjoy many fun ways to lead healthy lives.

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts is committed to offering health and wellness programs through the “Girl Scouts Get Moving Health Initiative” that educates girls on how to stay healthy and keep moving. Every year, we proudly offer quality indoor and outdoor programming to girls at our 14 camp properties and through our year-round program offerings. These programs educate girls on health, fitness and wellness in a variety of ways as they experiment with new sports and activities and keep moving all year long.